Rifle hunting mule deer on public land in October—what some call the “pumpkin patch” due to the sea of blaze orange—can be an overwhelming experience. It often feels like every ridge top has hunters stationed on it, at least that’s how it seemed to me growing up in Utah. Over the years, I’ve hunted general season mule deer in multiple states, and the experience has been remarkably similar everywhere I’ve gone.

Despite the challenges, rifle hunting mule deer during the general season can be incredibly rewarding. I’ve taken a number of respectable bucks, including my biggest to date, on these high-pressure hunts. With so many hunters out and about, those who understand the nuances of October hunting can gain a distinct advantage.

Before heading out into the field, ensuring your gear is dialed in can mean the difference between tagging a big buck or heading home empty-handed. A well-prepared hunter is a confident hunter, and confidence often translates to success. Nothing is more frustrating than putting in the time and effort only to have gear failures or overlooked details ruin your hunt.

A) The Importance of Gear Preparation

A general season rifle deer hunt, especially on public land, presents enough challenges without adding preventable gear issues to the mix. The last thing you want is to finally spot a mature buck, only to have your rifle off zero, your rangefinder battery dead, or your pack failing at a critical moment. By taking the time to check and prepare your equipment, you increase your chances of staying in the field longer and making the most of your opportunities.

B) Pre-Hunt Gear Checklist

To help you avoid common mishaps, here’s a checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared before heading into the field:

• Confirm Your Rifle’s Zero – Well before your hunt, take your rifle to the range and verify that it’s shooting accurately. Environmental conditions, transportation, and even minor bumps can shift your scope’s zero. Shooting at various distances can also help you gain confidence in your accuracy.

• Check Your Rangefinder Battery – A rangefinder is one of the most critical pieces of gear for making ethical shots. Always start your hunt with a fresh battery and carry a spare in your pack. A dead rangefinder at the wrong moment can cost you an opportunity.

• Test Your Tent Setup – If you’re camping, make sure your tent is in working order. Set it up at home before your trip to check for missing stakes, damaged poles, or leaks. The last thing you want is to arrive at camp and realize your shelter won’t hold up in bad weather.

• Inspect Your Gear for Damage – Go through your backpack, clothing, and equipment to check for tears, broken zippers, or other wear and tear. A broken pack strap or a missing buckle might seem minor, but when you’re deep in the backcountry, small issues can become big problems.

• Create a Packing List – Make a list of all essential items and double-check that you have them before leaving. Include everything from extra socks and gloves to your hunting license and tags. A well-organized pack ensures you’re not scrambling to find what you need when the moment of truth arrives.

C) Lessons Learned from the Field

I’ve personally been on hunts where a dead rangefinder battery cost me a shot opportunity, a rifle scope was off just enough to make me second-guess a shot, or my pack failed on a grueling hike. I’ve also had hunts ruined by something as simple as not bringing a proper layering system, which left me cold and wet, forcing an early retreat to camp. These mistakes are frustrating, but they serve as valuable lessons—ones that can be avoided with thorough preparation.

For those hunting in colder months, having the right layering system is crucial for staying warm, dry, and comfortable in the field. Learn more about how to properly layer for tough late-season hunts here.

By taking the time to prepare your gear before heading out, you can eliminate avoidable setbacks and focus on what really matters—finding and harvesting a mature buck.

Watch my 2024 general season rifle deer hunt below as I experience some major highs, and some serious lows.

Rifle hunting mule deer on public land can feel overwhelming, especially during the general rifle season when it seems like every ridge and valley is filled with blaze orange. It’s easy to let the thought of crowded areas, increased competition, and the possibility of going home empty-handed keep you from even stepping into the field. The reality is:

• Yes, you’ll run into other hunters. Public land is just that—public. You’re sharing the space with others who have the same goal. While this might seem frustrating, it can also work to your advantage. Many hunters stick close to roads and trails, pushing deer into more secluded areas. Learning to anticipate pressure and use it to reposition yourself in smarter locations can turn an obstacle into an opportunity.

• Yes, you might not get a buck. That’s just part of hunting. If success was guaranteed, it wouldn’t be called hunting—it would be called shooting. Some of the most valuable hunts aren’t the ones where you fill a tag but the ones where you learn something new, gain experience, and grow as a hunter. Each outing builds knowledge that will pay off in the long run.

• Yes, hunting can be uncomfortable. The best hunts often require pushing through tough conditions. Long hikes, cold mornings, unexpected storms, and exhausting pack-outs are all part of the experience. But overcoming these challenges makes the success that much sweeter. If you can embrace the discomfort and see it as part of the adventure, you’ll find yourself growing stronger with every hunt.

But don’t let these “what-ifs” stop you. Hunting is about far more than just punching a tag—it’s about the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of pushing yourself beyond your limits, and the privilege of immersing yourself in the wild places that few people ever get to truly experience. It’s about witnessing sunrises from a mountain ridge, hearing the rustle of an unseen animal in the timber, and feeling the crisp air fill your lungs as you glass distant hills. It’s about connecting with nature, learning patience, and developing skills that take years to master.

And let’s be honest—you’re not going to find a big buck sitting on your couch. The only way to succeed is to get outside, embrace the challenge, and put yourself in a position to make something happen. Whether you tag out or not, the experience alone makes the effort worthwhile. So lace up your boots, grab your gear, and step into the field with a positive mindset. The adventure is waiting.

Most casual hunters stick to rifle hunting mule deer on weekends, maybe adding a Friday or Monday to extend their time in the field. This makes sense—work and family commitments often dictate when people can hunt, and weekends are the most convenient option. However, while weekend hunting is still valuable, it also comes with significantly more competition. The influx of hunters into the field means more pressure on deer, increased human activity in prime areas, and fewer opportunities to find bucks moving naturally.

If you want to increase your chances of locating a mature buck, carving out time to hunt during the workweek can be a game-changer. Weekday hunts offer a noticeable drop in hunting pressure, as most weekend warriors have returned home. With fewer hunters in the woods, deer begin to settle back into their normal routines, making them easier to locate and pattern. The absence of constant disturbances also means less competition for good glassing spots and less likelihood of someone unknowingly pushing a deer out of range before you get a shot.

Beyond pressure, weekday hunting also allows for a more enjoyable and immersive experience. You’re not rushing to beat other hunters to a spot before first light, and you’re less likely to feel the frustration of having your morning ruined by unexpected human activity. The pace slows down, giving you time to glass thoroughly, hike deeper into secluded areas, and make more strategic decisions without feeling rushed.

Here’s a perfect example: I took one of my best general season bucks while hunting in the middle of the week. The difference in pressure was night and day compared to the weekend before. Where I had previously encountered multiple hunters in key locations, suddenly, I had entire basins to myself. The buck I tagged had likely been pushed deep into a lower-pressure area by the weekend crowd, and because I was there midweek, he had started to relax and move more predictably. That single adjustment—hunting during the workweek—completely changed the outcome of my hunt.

If possible, consider planning time off from work to hunt on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Even if you can only squeeze in one extra weekday, it can drastically improve your experience and increase your odds of finding a quality buck.

If you want to tag a mature buck, you have to put in the work. Older bucks don’t survive by making themselves easy targets—they instinctively seek out the most secluded, low-pressure areas as soon as hunting pressure ramps up. These deer won’t linger near well-traveled roads, trails, or glassing points that see regular foot traffic. Instead, they retreat into rugged, hard-to-reach terrain where few hunters are willing to go.

Finding these sanctuary areas requires both strategy and effort. Here’s how to locate and access prime mule deer country that holds mature bucks:

• Use maps to locate roadless areas – Satellite imagery and topographic maps are invaluable for identifying remote pockets of land that receive minimal hunting pressure. Focus on areas with rugged terrain, steep drainages, or dense cover—places that make it difficult for casual hunters to access. The farther you can get from roads and high-traffic zones, the better your odds of finding undisturbed bucks.

• Ditch the vehicle and go for a hike – While glassing from the truck or sticking close to easy-access areas might seem convenient, the reality is that mature bucks rarely stay in these spots once rifle season starts. Commit to hiking beyond the road system and pushing deeper into the backcountry. Even going just a mile or two off the beaten path can put you in an entirely different class of deer habitat.

• Consider backpack hunting – One of the best ways to maximize your hunting time and stay in productive areas is by backpacking in. Carrying camp on your back allows you to stay in prime deer country instead of hiking in and out every day, which not only saves energy but also reduces the risk of bumping deer on your approach. If you can stay multiple days in a secluded basin or along a migration corridor, you increase your chances of catching bucks moving naturally.

Overcoming Mental Barriers to Backcountry Hunting

For many hunters, getting away from the road is more of a mental challenge than a physical one. The thought of heading deep into unfamiliar terrain, carrying all your gear, and spending nights away from the comforts of camp can be intimidating. However, building confidence in your ability to navigate and survive in the backcountry will make you a far more effective hunter. Here’s how to get started:

• Invest in the right gear – A reliable pack, quality shelter, a good sleep system, and proper layering for changing conditions can make backcountry hunting much more comfortable. Lightweight, durable gear allows you to go farther with less fatigue.

• Train physically – Backpack hunting requires endurance and strength. Preparing in the offseason by hitting the gym, hiking with a loaded pack, or doing cardio workouts can make long hikes with heavy loads far more manageable. The better shape you’re in, the easier it will be to reach prime hunting spots.

• Practice overnight hikes – If you’re new to backpack hunting, start by doing overnight hikes before the season. Set up camp, cook a meal, and get comfortable with your gear. The more experience you gain in the offseason, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to hunt.

The key to finding mature bucks on public land is simple: go where other hunters won’t. The more comfortable you become navigating and hunting in remote terrain, the more successful you’ll be. While it takes extra effort, the reward of locating and harvesting a truly mature buck in these secluded areas is well worth it.

Skipping the local diner or forgoing a midday nap isn’t easy—there’s something undeniably tempting about a warm meal and a short rest after an early morning hunt. However, if you’re serious about finding a mature buck in October, staying out and keeping your eyes behind the glass can be one of the most productive things you do. Unlike the early season, when bucks tend to bed down for the majority of the day, October brings a shift in behavior. Cooler temperatures, increased hunting pressure, and the onset of pre-rut activity keep bucks on their feet longer, offering prime opportunities to catch them moving during midday hours.

Many hunters pack it in after the morning hunt, heading back to camp or town to recharge before the evening sit. While this might be the easy option, it also means they’re missing out on a critical window of opportunity. Some of my best hunting success has come during midday hours, when bucks are more active than most people realize. Here’s why:

• Bucks are pushed by other hunters. With hunters moving throughout the morning, deer are frequently bumped from their bedding areas. A buck that might have stayed put in a secluded draw all day can suddenly be on his feet, working his way toward a safer location. If you’re patient and glassing when others are heading back to camp, you might catch sight of a buck slipping through an overlooked pocket of cover.

• Bucks are cruising for does. As the pre-rut intensifies, mature bucks start covering more ground, checking on does and looking for any early estrous females. While they may not be in full rut mode yet, this increased movement makes midday an excellent time to spot a buck on the move, especially in transition areas between feeding and bedding zones.

• Bucks simply need to feed. Cooler fall temperatures increase a deer’s need to pack on calories in preparation for winter. Unlike in the warmer early season, when bucks feed heavily in the mornings and evenings and bed down for most of the day, October conditions encourage more frequent feeding throughout daylight hours. If you keep your glass on known feeding areas, edges of cover, or even shady slopes where bucks might grab a quick bite before bedding again, you’ll increase your chances of spotting a deer others will miss.

The Key to Midday Success: Extended Glassing Sessions

This time of year, patience pays off. The longer you keep your optics up and scanning, the more likely you are to catch a buck moving between cover, slipping into a secondary bedding area, or feeding when most hunters assume deer are down for the day. Midday glassing requires a different mindset—rather than expecting to see obvious movement, you need to pick apart the terrain, scanning for small signs of deer: an ear flick, the shine of an antler, or the slow rise of a buck stretching in his bed.

Tips for Effective Midday Glassing:

• Find a high vantage point – Position yourself where you can see multiple bedding areas, feeding zones, or travel routes. Elevation gives you the advantage of covering more country without moving.

• Use a tripod for stability – A steady setup allows you to glass for longer without fatigue, making it easier to pick out subtle movement. We prefer the lightweight MUTNT Gear Tripod that comes with a stud that connects your binos to the tripod system.

• Slow down your glassing process – Midday bucks aren’t always moving fast. Take your time, grid-search the landscape, and train yourself to look for the smallest details rather than expecting to spot a whole deer.

• Stay mentally engaged – It’s easy to let your focus drift after a long morning, but remind yourself that every extra minute spent glassing increases your chances of spotting a mature buck others have overlooked.

October hunting success often comes down to persistence. While many hunters are taking a break, mature bucks are still on their feet—you just have to be there to see them.

Don’t let the chaos of rifle hunting mule deer in October intimidate you. Focus on having fun, learning something new, and applying these tips to give yourself an edge. Hunting in October is tough—but with the right preparation, mindset, and strategies, you can put yourself in position to succeed.